Typical Ugandan operator by Richard Tusasibwe
Gatatu Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2011)
- Tour Types:
- Budget & mid-range tours with set start dates and a fixed itinerary
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $65 to $710 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email KAT | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Buyer Beware - Gatatu lied about purchasing our Gorilla and Chimp permits in advance
After researching a few safari companies, we (group of 4) chose to work with Gatatu as they had great reviews and were a small operation located right in Uganda. Clearly something has changed with their business since these last reviews were posted, as our trip was anything but easy. We came to find out Richard and Steven never purchased our gorilla and chimp permits in advance (we found out about the gorilla permits the morning of our trek when we couldn't get in) in spite of telling us they were purchased back in August 2018, when my sister and I made a $2000 deposit (my friends made a similar deposit but I don't know the date). Richard went as far as providing FAKE copies of the gorilla permits. Please keep in mind gorilla permits and chimp habituation permits HAVE to be booked well in advance as only a limited number of ppl can get in per day. After repeated lies from both Richard (and threats via text) and Steven, we decided to part ways and hired ourselves a new driver 4 nights in. If you choose to use them, make sure to get copies of all of your permits in advance and confirm their validity with the national parks.
On a positive note, all of our accommodations were what was promised and we did have a nice $30 add on of a boat ride up the Kazinga Channel with one of Steven's friends. Also, with our evidence of being duped by Gatatu, we were able to get ourselves in for a gorilla trek at Bwindi by the game warden who took pity on us and with the assistance of two locals in Kibale, in for the chimp trek (we couldnt get in for habituation as that was full). All I can say is thank goodness we did not pay them in full and were able to walk away with a few saved dollars. If you have any questions, I have saved all of my communication and texts with Richard. Feel free to reach out.
p.s. Steven picked us up in a green safari vehicle full of roaches on the first day. We should have known what was to come...
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g673829-d10791582-r644516635-Gatatu_Safaris-Kabale_Western_Region.html#
Reply from Gatatu Safaris
Posted on Feb 22, 2019After entering into Agreement with Kara, your sister and sent the first installment of the money,You requested to add 2 more people, You were 3 ladies and one Male unfortunately, You breached the contracted when you reached in our office in Uganda and refused to pay all the balance based on the agreement.
With the gorilla tracking, I admit there was issue but having 2 nights in Bwindi, we knew you would do gorilla tracking and by the way, there is high demand for gorilla permits in Uganda, For people who do not book their safari 6 month in advance, it will be hard to get gorilla permits, why?? Rwanda increased its gorilla permits from $750USD to $1500USD , the demand for gorilla permits in Uganda is very high.
You arrived differently in Kigali, Steven met you with the land cruiser which was white, its not mentioned, on the second, he went to meet Elizabeth and boyfriend, its not mentioned, You not mentioning that you refused to pay on arrival in Uganda, changing the white car to a green which would accommodate 4 of you was a good deal and the vehicle is very new unfortunately i am not aware and was not aware of the Cockroaches because its been used to transport very many people.
There very many people from around the world who pay money to companies and on reached at the airport, no body is there to meet them, I am not sure what you really mean being duped however we are very committed to serve all people from around the world, we have served more and more people after you and before you, we don't bribe people to write good things about us, more good reviews are coming unfortunately it was hard for Steven to go on with you when you threatened to strangle the head was your bear hands and feared for his life.
DE
Email Andy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
OK but lots of room for improvement
Value for money is only moderate. I found their tour preperation was not adequate, leading to a car break-down which cost us several hours. Not good when your time is limited. Some more time was wasted in a Police control, where it turned out that the car did not have proper insurance with some documentation missing. The driver was definitely striving to do his best, yet he was not qualified as a guide during our game drive. Fortunately and by chance we had a local helping out, otherwise we would have missed lots of interesting sights and information.